Greece's national statistics authority ELSTAT recorded 811,585 tourist arrivals and 1,764,853 overnight stays across the country in February 2026, marking a 2.4% rise in arrivals and a 1.7% increase in overnight stays compared to February 2025. The figures confirm that early-season travel to Greece continues to grow year on year. For visitors planning a trip to Crete outside the peak summer window, this trend reflects improving infrastructure and services during shoulder and winter months. Accommodation options are increasingly available earlier in the year, though travellers should verify that specific hotels, restaurants, and attractions in their destination area are open before booking, as some smaller businesses on the island still operate seasonally and may not fully open until April or May.